Friday Night Predictions
Friday night’s schedule is highlighted by some tremendous tournament action around the state, especially in the Kansas City area. Here is a look at some of those games, with predictions:
Rock Bridge vs. Park Hill South, 7 p.m. – This will be the championship game of the North Kansas City Tournament. Undefeated Rock Bridge features its three-headed Class of 2019 monster in 6’6″ Isiaih Mosley, 6’2″ Dajuan Harris and 6’3″ Jamonta Black. Park Hill South will counter with its excellent trio of guards in 2019s Lamel Robinson, Desi Williams and 2018 guard Saadique Perkins. (Prediction: Rock Bridge)
Chaminade vs. St. Mary’s, 6 p.m. – A big semifinal clash in the Belleville East (IL) Tournament featuring a Class 5 contender in Chaminade against the Dragons, who are prime Class 4 contenders. Both teams have excellent depth and like to get up and down the court. The Red Devils are led by 6’7″ 2018 forward Jericole Hellems while 2019 point guard Yuri Collins is the straw that stirs the drink at St. Mary’s. Gentlemen. Start your engines. (Prediction: Chaminade).
Hogan Prep vs. Raytown South, 7 p.m. – This is the championship game of the Culver’s Classic. Both teams scored one-sided victories in their semifinals games. Dynamic guard Damien Daniels scored 40 points in Hogan Prep’s 30-point win over Raytown in the semifinals. Ray South was equally dominant in their semifinal win over Ruskin.
North Kansas City vs. Oak Park, 5:30 p.m. – The third place game of the North Kansas City Invitational features a battle of local rivals who only have one loss each. Oak Park is led by 2018 guard Ochai Agbaji, who has emerged as a candidate for Mr. Basketball with his play this season. North Kansas City has an excellent backcourt in 2018s Deng Bol and T.J. Babikur. NKC won the first meeting a couple of weeks ago. (Prediction: Oak Park).
Park Hill vs. Lee’s Summit West, 8:30 p.m. – The championship of the C.W. Stessman Tournament. Lee’s Summit West has been rolling on behind the play of versatile 6’7″ forward Christian Bishop and a group of talented guards. Park Hill has been riding the hot hand of 2018 guard Ronnie Bell, who has scored 78 points in the Trojans’ two victories with two consecutive game-winning 3-pointers at the buzzers in the tournament. (Prediction: Lee’s Summit West).
Harrisburg vs. Centralia, Saturday, 7 p.m. – The is the championship game of the Macon Tournament. Harrisburg is rolling at 12-2, but one of those losses came to Centralia on Dec. 5. Harrisburg is led by the duo of 6’4″ 2018 guard Cade Combs and 2018 guard Brendan Gray. Centralia is young with its 2020 trio of John Durant, Nic Brooks and Guy Moran leading the scoring. It should be a high-scoring game. (Prediction: Harrisburg).
Clark County vs. Monroe City, Saturday, 8:30 p.m. – These Clarence Cannon Conference rivals will meet in the championship game of the Tony Lenzini Tournament in Palmyra. It is also a rematch of last week’s thrilling overtime league game, which was won by undefeated Clark County 73-70. Expect another hotly contested game tonight with a trophy on the line. (Prediction: Clark County).